The first step when cleaning vintage baseball cards is to gather your supplies. You will need soft bristle brushes (an artist’s brush works well), a microfiber cloth, pure grain alcohol like everclear or isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of at least 91%, cotton balls or Qtips, distilled water, lens cleaning fluid, plastic gloves, and archival polyethylene sheets to protect the cards as you work.

Before beginning the cleaning process, do a visual inspection of each card to assess its condition and note any existing damage, creases or stains so you know what to expect after cleaning. Gently peel any existing adhesive or stuck-on pieces from the surface. You’ll then want to test cleaning methods on less valuable common cards first before working on key vintage cards.

To clean dirt or grime from the surface, dip a cotton ball in distilled water and gently wipe across the face of the card. Work in a single direction from top to bottom or side to side using light pressure. Blot dry with a microfiber cloth or allow to air dry. You can also use a soft bristle brush dipped in distilled water to lightly scrub away dirt embedded in the surfaces. Be very gentle as not to damage the card stock or images.

For stuck-on gum or other adhesive residues that water can’t remove, dip a QTip in pure grain alcohol and gently work the residue, wiping with a cotton ball or microfiber cloth between applications. The alcohol will break down and dissolve most glues without damaging the paper stock. Go slowly and avoid soaking the card.

For stains like mustard, coffee or ink spots, dip a QTip in lens cleaning fluid or pure grain alcohol and gently work the stain, dabbing with a cloth in between. You may need to do this several times to fully remove old set-in stains. Go slowly and avoid over-saturating the area.

To clean mold or mildew, dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) and gently dab the affected areas, being careful not to soak the paper. Let dry completely and then use distilled water and a soft brush to remove any residual peroxide. Mold removal may take repeated applications. Again, go slowly and avoid over-wetting the card.

After fully cleaning and drying the card surfaces, examine them under bright light against a dark surface for any remaining dirt particles or fibers that need additional cleaning. Don’t forget the edges and backs which can hold debris. Clean only as needed with the gentlest methods possible to avoid damaging the vintage paper stock.

When finished, store the clean cards between clear polyethylene sheets cut to size in a three-ring binder or card box to keep them clean, flat and protected from moisture, oils and fingerprints that can cause new stains. Archival materials like acid-free paper or polypropylene can also be used instead of polyethylene for long-term storage.

With patience and care using the proper cleaning methods and supplies, you can gently remove dirt and stains from vintage baseball cards without causing damage. Just remember to always work gently, test methods first, clean only as needed and avoid over-wetting the vintage paper surfaces. Following these guidelines will preserve these valuable pieces of sports history.